Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay: No-Fee Rewards That Pack a Punch
The Chase Freedom Flex® and the American Express EveryDay® Credit Card are two standout options for beginner travel cards, each offered by major financial institutions. But which one brings more value to your wallet?
While the Freedom Flex shines with its excellent cash-back potential and a variety of earning categories—all with no annual fee—the Amex EveryDay offers valuable Amex Membership Rewards points and is a solid choice for travel card newcomers looking to maximize rewards without paying an annual fee (check rates and fees). Both cards generally require a 'good' credit score for approval.
Keep reading to dive deeper into the features of these two cards and discover which one may be the right fit for your needs.
The details about the Amex EveryDay card have been gathered independently by Dinogo. The card information on this page has not been reviewed or provided by the card issuer.
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay: A Detailed Comparison
| Chase Freedom Flex | Amex EveryDay | |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | $200 cash back after you spend $500 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening | 10,000 points after you use your new card to make $2,000 in purchases within the first six months of card membership |
| Annual fee | $0 | $0 (see rates and fees) |
| Earning rates | 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in purchases on quarterly bonus categories (activation required, 1% after that)
5% back on Lyft rides (through March 2025) 5% cash back on travel purchased through Chase Travel℠ 3% cash back on dining and at restaurants, including takeout and eligible delivery services 3% cash back on drugstore purchases 1% cash back on all other purchases Terms apply | 2 points per dollar on purchases at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 in spending each year; then 1 point per dollar)
1 point per dollar on all other purchases Terms apply |
| Additional benefits | Cellphone protection
Purchase protection Zero liability protection Extended warranty protection Auto rental collision waiver Trip cancellation/interruption insurance | 20% more points when you use your card 20 or more times on purchases in a billing period. Terms apply
Access to Amex's Membership Rewards® Program Car rental loss and damage insurance* Global Assist® Hotline** |
**Eligibility and benefits may differ by card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. For more information, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Cardholders are responsible for any charges from third-party providers.
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay: Current Welcome Offers
With the Freedom Flex, you can earn a $200 cash back bonus after spending $500 within the first 3 months of account opening.
DinogoWith the Amex EveryDay, you'll earn 10,000 points after spending $2,000 on purchases within the first 6 months of card membership.
According to TPG's July 2024 valuations, 10,000 points are worth $200. If you can meet the higher spend requirement on the Amex EveryDay, these offers are comparable. However, if you have another Chase card that allows you to convert your cash back into Chase points, the value of the Freedom Flex offer increases significantly.
Winner: Freedom Flex
Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay: A Breakdown of Benefits
The Freedom Flex delivers a strong set of benefits for a no-annual-fee card, including cellphone protection, shopping perks, and coverage for trip cancellations and interruptions.
The Amex EveryDay offers benefits like car rental loss and damage coverage* and access to the Global Assist Hotline**, plus membership in the Amex Membership Rewards program. You can also use the Pay with Points feature to book your next flight or hotel.
Enrollment may be required for certain benefits.
**Benefit eligibility and levels vary by card. Terms, conditions, and restrictions apply. For full details, visit americanexpress.com/benefitsguide. Cardholders are responsible for any fees from third-party service providers.
DinogoAs with all Amex Membership Rewards cards, you'll enjoy free two-day shipping on eligible ShopRunner orders.
The benefits of both cards are fairly similar, so which one is better will depend on how much you value each specific perk.
Winner: A Draw
Comparing Rewards Earning: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay
The Freedom Flex offers several attractive earning categories, including:
- 5% cash back on up to $1,500 in rotating categories each quarter (activation required)
- 5% cash back on Lyft rides (through March 2025)
- 5% on travel booked through the Chase Travel portal
- 3% on dining (including takeout and eligible delivery services)
- 3% on drugstore purchases
- 1% on all other purchases
The Freedom Flex boasts a solid array of earning categories, especially for a no-annual-fee card. The rotating categories change each quarter and require activation. Common categories include Walmart, gas stations, and PayPal purchases.
PRAMOTE POLYAMOTE/GETTY IMAGESThe Amex EveryDay earns 2 points per dollar at U.S. supermarkets (up to $6,000 annually; then 1 point per dollar), and 1 point per dollar on all other purchases.
Unless you spend heavily at supermarkets, the Freedom Flex is likely the better option for you.
Winner: Freedom Flex
Redeeming Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay
The Freedom Flex earns cash back, but if you also hold a Chase Sapphire Preferred®, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, or Ink Business Preferred® Credit Card, you can combine your points into a single Chase Ultimate Rewards account. This opens up a wide range of redemption options, effectively increasing the value of each cent earned to 2.05 cents per TPG's July 2024 valuation.
Amex EveryDay rewards can be redeemed for cash back, Amazon purchases, gift cards, and more. However, you'll likely get the best value by redeeming for travel with Amex’s 21 airline and hotel partners.
The redemption value of both cards is fairly close — 2.05 cents per point for Chase, and 2.0 cents for Amex. However, pairing the Freedom Flex with another popular Chase card can significantly enhance the value of your rewards.
Winner: Freedom Flex
Transferring Rewards: Chase Freedom Flex vs. Amex EveryDay
Both Chase and Amex offer valuable hotel and airline transfer partners, which is why TPG places such a high value on their loyalty programs.
Chase has 14 airline and hotel partners, including well-known programs like Hyatt, United, British Airways, and Singapore Airlines. Amex, on the other hand, allows transfers to U.S.-based programs like Delta SkyMiles and JetBlue TrueBlue, but you can often get more value by using international airline programs.
ZACH GRIFF/DinogoFor instance, TPG senior writer Ben Smithson prefers transferring his Membership Rewards points to Air Canada’s Aeroplan program for access to a wide variety of airline partners with reasonable fixed award rates. He also transfers them to British Airways Executive Club to book short-haul flights from the UK to Europe for under 5,000 points one-way.
Winner: A Draw.
Chase Freedom Flex or Amex EveryDay: Which One Should I Choose?
For most people, the Freedom Flex is the better pick due to its robust benefits and higher earning rates. However, the Amex EveryDay also has its perks, and you might find value in having both. In fact, the two cards' earning categories work well together, with the Amex EveryDay excelling at grocery rewards and the Freedom Flex covering everything else.
Final Thoughts
Both the Freedom Flex and Amex EveryDay offer valuable cash back with no annual fee. It's essential to consider the earning categories that align with your spending habits and evaluate the transfer partners of each program to determine which one offers the best rewards for you, regardless of which card you select.
For more details, check out our in-depth reviews of the Freedom Flex and Amex EveryDay.
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